CURRENT AFFAIRS

Detailed explanation-1: -Relations between the Philippines and China, which span several centuries, have been predominantly warm and cordial. But in recent years, both countries have experienced fiery issues that have resulted in their “cooling off, ” hitting a low point since the establishment of their diplomatic relations in June 1975.

Detailed explanation-2: -The conflict between China and the Philippines in the Western Philippine Sea (a.k.a. the South China Sea) is the result of years of territorial dispute over the Spratly Islands – a group of 7, 500 islands and reefs that multiple countries have claimed as their own.

Detailed explanation-3: -China has occupied the shoal near continuously since then, often chasing Filipino fishing vessels away from the area. A 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration had dismissed China’s sweeping claims over most of the South China Sea, including the Scarborough Shoal.